A fast-moving hillside fire erupted on Monday afternoon in a residential area of Laguna Beach, California prompting evacuation orders and snarling traffic along major coastal routes as firefighters rushed to contain the blaze. The fire started around 2:15pm near Rancho Laguna Road and Morningside Drive, in the hills above Fernando Street Park. Officials quickly issued evacuation orders for residents on La Mirada Street, Katella Street, Summit Drive, and Baja Street, while those in the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood were placed under evacuation warnings. Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King said the flames were advancing quickly and posed a direct threat to nearby homes. Crews from the Orange County Fire Authority also joined local firefighters in launching a coordinated ground and air assault in an attempt to slow the spread. Aircraft made water drops while firefighters on the ground defended properties in the fire’s path. Traffic ground to a halt on both sides of the Coast Highway as emergency vehicles struggled to navigate the congestion. Southbound drivers near the Montage resort were turned back, and trolleys loaded with passengers became stuck in gridlock. The city urged people to stay away from Laguna Beach, citing full closures at South Coast Highway and Broadway Street, with detours redirecting vehicles to Laguna Canyon Road. As of 3:30pm, the fire had burned an estimated 3.1 acres. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. According to the National Weather Service, conditions at the time included mild temperatures in the upper 60s, humidity near 80%, and winds between 4 and 6 mph, with occasional gusts reaching 13 mph. Monday's fire comes six months after the wildfires that devastated the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles. The fires broke out on January 7, when dry desert winds whipped over mountain passes with hurricane force, following eight months without rain. The Eaton Fire, in Los Angeles County just east of the city, devastated the community of Altadena, while the Palisades Fire leveled much of the coastal Pacific Palisades district. The fires killed 22 people, destroyed nearly 12,000 homes and caused as much as $53.8 billion in property damage, according to a report by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. While many homeowners complain about delays, LA city and county officials say rebuilding progress has exceeded initial expectations. About 75% of the 4,398 residential lots destroyed or severely damaged in the city of Los Angeles have been cleared of debris and are certified for rebuilding, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Karen Bass. This is a developing story - more follows...